A new advertising campaign by the UK government has been launched to remind drivers about the most significant changes to the Highway Code, which were introduced last year.
The campaign has a strapline of ‘Travel Like You Know Them’.
The new rules, which came into force in January 2022, include giving priority to pedestrians waiting to cross or already crossing the road, passing horse riders at under 10mph, and allowing at least 2 metres of space when passing people walking on the road.
Drivers should also leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds. The ads also remind drivers that people cycling may ride two abreast or in the centre of the lane if it is safer to do so, pulling in when safe to allow vehicles to overtake.
These changes were amongst the most wide ranging in the Highway Code’s history, and were made after extensive consultation with walkers, cyclists and disability road users.
Roads minister Richard Holden said: "It is fantastic that the Travel Like You Know Them campaign is back to continue to raise awareness of these important changes and to change behaviour on our roads to help keep those more at risk safe.”
“Drivers, cyclists, pedestrians – whatever labels we use, at the end of the day we’re all humans getting from A to B and this campaign reminds us all, in a very personal way, of the responsibilities we have for looking after each other,” said RAC head of policy Simon Williams. “Every casualty on our roads is one too many and we hope all road users take the time to remind themselves of what they should be doing differently following last year’s major changes to the Highway Code.”
